zinger
18
8.1
- noun
- /ˈzɪŋər/
- Informal
- She delivered a clever zinger that had the entire audience laughing.
- deliver zingers
- best zingers
- couple of zingers
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Watch on YouTubeHe's just, he doesn't have quite the the zingers that Plato's does.
- He's just, he doesn't have quite the the zingers that Plato's does.
- Once again, JB, you can think on anytime you want to throw in a zinger, go ahead.
- And Castro close with the night's biggest bilingual zinger.
- When Trump tried to paint Biden as corrupt, the VP hit back with this zinger.
- She'd come through with a little zinger, little quick little zinger that would I would just be laughing out loud.
- Did you not see my he's like, you're going to pay her because he gives me this zinger.
Examples
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I really hope Obama gets a few zingers ready for the debate when Romney tries it.
Blog text (22) -
Perhaps I cannot resist a zinger opening line.
Fiction book (1992) -
But the last one was for me the real zinger of them all.
Blog text (9) -
Then she gives me her last zinger.
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Always coming in for the zinger, a memorable fan-favorite type of character.
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I think it's as simple as Romney being handed a zinger of a speech and delivering it perfectly.
Blog text (23) -
Save the zingers for the speeches, Genny.
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"You're certainly acting like one now," Sister Immaculata said, and seemed pleased at getting in that zinger.
Fiction book (1992) -
Romney was definitely prepared with a "zinger" that was poll tested and well-rehearsed.
Blog text (14) -
His staff has been prepping him with a series of zingers and one-liners.
Blog text (13)
Synonyms
103
3.7
A short funny remark that makes people laugh
34
3.7
A quick witty or critical reply to a remark
19
6.4
A short, clever thing someone says to make people laugh
18
8.6
A clever mocking remark that often sounds rude
12
6.2
A short funny or sarcastic remark meant to be clever
4
7.2
A clever short remark meant to make people laugh
4
9.3
A clever short comment that makes people laugh
1
8.1
A clever remark that is funnier than earlier ones
1
7.2
A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone
1
4.6
A short teasing remark that makes someone laugh without hurting them
A quick, clever comment that is slightly cheeky
A bold, slightly rude comment that makes people laugh
A sharp, slightly bitter comment that can hurt feelings
Antonyms
How Witty
Surface Forms
Morphology
zinger = zing (transparent) = zing + er
Formed by productive suffixation of 'zing' + '-er'; a zinger is straightforwardly 'something that zings' (a witty or biting remark).
Etymology
Zinger comes from the lively sound zing, a word people use for something 'quick' and 'sharp'. So a zinger is a short, clever remark that 'zings' someone — it surprises or lightly 'stings' them.